The Great American Time Squeeze: Trends in Work and Leisure

Briefing Paper #28

Americans are starved for time. Since 1969, the annual hours of work of employed
Americans have risen markedly — by approximately 140 hours, or more than an additional
three weeks. This increase includes both hours on the job and time spent working at
home. As a result, leisure, or free time, has declined as well. Increasing numbers of
people are finding themselves overworked,. stressed out, and heavily taxed by the joint
demands of work and family life.

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EPI is an independent, nonprofit think tank that researches the impact of economic trends and policies on working people in the United States. EPI’s research helps policymakers, opinion leaders, advocates, journalists, and the public understand the bread-and-butter issues affecting ordinary Americans.